Thank you for your inquiry about the Loon Lake Women's trip August 17th-20th, 2018 This trip usually sells out each year with a waiting list!

Please send a deposit of $150 to: Blue Water Ventures, 127 Mason Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 to secure your place. Space on the roster is guaranteed when payments are received and in the order that we receive them. More Information will be sent this summer. You may review the packing list below.

You may pay using a credit card via Pay Pal by visiting our secure online Payment Center (please note that there is a 3% service charge on multiple day trips so your online deposit is $155).

This trip does tend to get booked upso I would suggest getting a deposit in. If your plans change before May 1st, you may get your deposit back. After May 2nd your deposit is non refundable. The balance of $300 per person is due by May 17th or $309 if paying via Pay Pal. After May17th, no refunds will be issued but you may find a replacement for your spot at any time. To protect your investment, please consider Travel Insurance ( details below) which we highly recommend.

We are looking forward to our adventure in the Sierras this summer---Kim of Blue Water Ventures

Scroll down for packing list and other trip details

Dear Kayakers:

Thank you for your interest in the Women's Weekend Kayak Adventure to Loon Lake, on the western edge of Desolation Wilderness. The breath-taking terrain that surrounds our sea kayaking destination is rich in natural diversity with a colorful history of early settlement.

Our kayak camping adventure begins on the shores of Loon Lake at Noon on Friday, August 17th and ends at2:00pm on Monday, August 20th. As always, thorough instruction in sea kayaking, safety and low impact camping will be provided before each activity.

On Friday, we will pack up our double sea kayaks and have a leisurely paddle to our boat in campsite with plenty of time for a swim (or snorkel) in the cool freshwater. The granite rocks that line the lake are great for relaxing as others swim. Fishing is reportedly quite good.

For the next three nights we will use the same boat in campsite (this is not a car camping trip). There are several options for Friday and Saturday. A vary scenic and moderate hike to Spider Lake is possible and allows for a panoramic view of the expansive Desolation Wilderness area. Kayaking is an option for those who would prefer not to hike. For anyone who is interested, informal instruction in kayak skills including rescues will be available.

On Monday, we'll kayak, swim, soak in the sun and explore the inlets of the pristine waterway as we make our way back to the launch site by 2:00pm.

Directions:
From the Bay area, take US-50 E towards Sacramento/South Lake Tahoe. Continue on US-50 through Placerville and Pollock Pines. Ice House Road which leads to Loon Lake, is 22 miles east of Placerville and 8.5 miles east of Pollock Pines. Crystal Basin/Ice House Rd. is a left exit just after US-50 crosses the South Fork of the American River.

You will now start climbing in elevation to reach Loon Lake, which is about 28 miles from Highway 50. In 24 miles, look for a small brown sign on the right side of the road that reads: Loon Lake 4 miles. This sign is shortly past Wentworth Springs Rd.

At the brown sign take a right towards Loon Lake, approximately 4 more miles. When you reach the next sign for Loon Lake bear left and follow the road around the lake passing over two spillways. If you do not bear left, you will enter into the Main Loon Lake Campground and boat launch. Turn around and exit right around the lake.

Plan on about an hour from the intersection of US-50 and Ice House Road and 4 1/2- 5 hours from the San Francisco Bay Bridge to Loon Lake ( if the traffic is reasonable).

Arrival to Loon Lake
We plan on meeting at the end of the second spillway where we will leave cars and launch our kayaks ( a map will be sent to you later this summer).

Hotels in Area
If you choose to stay at a hotel either before or after the trip, the West Haven Hotel (800-424-9928). is located in Pollock Pines, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Loon Lake. Slightly further away in Placerville is a National 9 Inn, (530 622-3884). For information on hotels in Placerville please visit: Hotel ideas.

Camping Options (before or after trip)
Camping is possible at Loon Lake or at nearby Union Valley Reservoir. Reservations can be made by calling:877-444-6777. For specific camping details call the Eldorado Information Center at: 530-644-6048. The North Shore RV Campground on Loon Lake does not take reservations but has a first come first serve policy. The main campground of Loon Lake on the south shore accepts reservations.

The cost for our wilderness kayaking adventure is $450 per person ( This price includes kayaks, camping fees, permits, kayak instruction, naturalist guides, and 10 meals (3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners). Personal camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags and pads are to be provided by participants. Spacious 2 person tents may be rented from Blue Water Ventures for $15 for the weekend (while supplies last).

To register for this program, please send a non-refundable deposit of $150 to BWV, 127 Mason Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. The balance of $300 is due by May 17th. Full refunds (minus $150 deposit) will be given with at least 2 months notice prior to trip date.

Travel Insurance

Blue Water Ventures strongly recommends that participants purchase Travel Insurance for all multi-day trip destinations. Travel Insurance is a very affordable tool to protect your investment. Please consult your travel agent or search online as there are many affordable policies to choose from. Policies vary and arrangements may need to be made within two weeks of your first trip payment. Many of our clients have been very happy with CSA Travel Insurance or TravelGuard.

I hope this letter answers a few questions. We are looking forward to our adventure in Loon Lake! Please don't hesitate to call or email with questions.

PACKING SUGGESTIONS: Please pack only what is suggested on the What to Bring List. As with backpacking, kayak camping requires that we pack with limited space in mind. Several small duffels for personal gear are better than large ones. Everything must be waterproofed by lining the inside of a duffel bag with a garbage bag. Heavy duty style garbage bags are recommended. The white compressor bags found at Costco work extremely well. There is no need to buy expenses dry bags. In fact, clothing can be double bagged in 2 garbage bags if duffels/dry bags are not available.

DUFFELS OR DRY BAGS: If using duffels, 2 or 3 small duffels lined on the inside with a garbage bag for personal gear are acceptable. Outdoor World carries a variety of inexpensive duffels. You may pack your personal gear into 3 small duffels (9" by 18'" ) or 1 small duffel and 1 medium duffel (12" by 24"). Dry bags with similar dimensions may also be used. T-shirts and other clothing rolled tightly and fitted into gallon size ziplocs are a good way to organize and compress gear. Sleeping bags and sleeping pads should be rolled up separately in their own stuff sacs (not in your clothes duffel). If your duffel is too big, we will need to re-pack your clothing into several garbage bags.

SLEEPING BAG: A medium - heavy rated bag is needed. Night temperatures could be in the low 40's or even cooler. Down, fiberfill or another type of synthetic insulation is acceptable. Bulky cotton covered bags are too big to fit into kayaks and are not acceptable. Compress your bag into a stuff sack lined on the inside with a durable garbage bag.

FOAM PAD: A closed cell foam pad that doesn't absorb water is needed "Ensolite" "Thermarest" or "Ridgerest" are recommended. Line the inside of your stuff sac with a garbage bag. You will not have room to bring a big bulky air mattress as it will not fit into your kayak.

CHAIRS: We believe in creature comforts while kayak camping! if you would like to bring a compact folded chair, that's fine. These types can fit flat on the deck of your kayak with additional gear such as a tent packed on top of the chair. You may also purchase sleeves that convert your thermarest sleeping pad into a chair. Crazy Creek has compact non framed chairs that are acceptable and you may buy similar products at most outdoor camping stores. Please do not bring chairs that have a frame as you will need to leave them back in your car. An exception is the extremely lightweight t aluminum frame called the REI Flex Lite Chair.

RAIN GEAR: Good, durable rain gear is essential. A rain poncho or jacket combined with rain pants is required & should be gortex or a coated nylon material. No flimsy plastic that would tear easily

CLOTHING:Quick drying nylon shorts are great for kayaking and hiking. Sweat pants or pants made of fleece material are recommended although jeans are not advisable. In general, clothing should be loose fitting, fast-drying and comfortable. Your required sweater should be fleece, capilene, wool or a material that insulates even when wet. We may experience cool temperatures so warm pullovers that insulate when damp are crucial for your safety and comfort.

FOOTWEAR: On our optional hike to Spider Lake we suggest either a sturdy tennis shoe, lightweight hiking boot or sturdy sandals that provides toe protection. Open toed sandals are not advisable but a sturdy sandal such as a Keen style that protects the toes is acceptable. When kayaking, you may wear any shoe that you don’t mind getting wet such as a tennis shoe, wetsuit booty or sandal. For warmth at night ,we suggest socks and a tennis shoe or hiking boot. We have found Crocs to be dangerous on the rocks as they offer little support and are not recommended. Your head guide plans to bring a lightweight hiking shoe and Keen Sandal (i.e. Newport H2 with toe protection).

MORE ON HOW TO PACK:Think light! Every ounce adds up to more stuff to carry. Small plastic bottles with screw on tops (i.e. recycled travel size shampoo bottles ) are great for small items such as sunscreen, lotions, shampoo etc.). Avoid sweet smelling lotions that may attract insects. We'll check out every one's gear before getting on the water. Small plastic bottles can be found at most drug stores in the travel section or at outdoor stores.

TOILET SYSTEM, HYGIENE AND OTHER TIDBITS: At our primitive campsite, we will be using the PETT toilet system which can be reviewed at: http://www.easycaretoilet.com/ Our PETT is easy to use, environmental friendly and virtually smell free! Most women are in the water each day so actual bathing is not all that common. Hand soap and hand sanitizer will be available around kitchen prep and after toilet use. If you feel the need for a real shower, a bucket of lake water may be taken 100 feet from the shore and using a biodegradable soap, you may rinse off. No soap of any kind is permitted in or near the lake water (Joy, Dawn. CampSuds and Dr. Brommer's are biodegradable).

FOOD AND WATER: As with backpacking, meals will be planned with limited space in mind. Please indicate by email if you have any dietary needs. Everyone will bring two full water bottles and a jug of water. Additional water used will be boiled or purified with a pumping system.

HOW TO REACH US:In the event of an emergency only, our group can be reached by calling Kim Powell’s cell phone at: 831-345-2417. Cell service has improved each summer but is still rather patchy. The call may not go through. An alternative number is the US Forest Service Dispatch: at 530-647-5250 or the Eldorado County Sheriffs Dept: 530 621-5655.

We are camped at the Pleasant Lake Boat In Campsite and will be in that vicinity most of the time.